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REGISTER VIEWPOINT: Of course they benefit. We'll all benefit from Marina District

Conflicts? Who doesn't have conflicts?
It is absolutely necessary that lawmakers and legislators avoid any appearance

Sandusky Register Staff

May 24, 2010

Conflicts? Who doesn't have conflicts?

It is absolutely necessary that lawmakers and legislators avoid any appearance of personal benefit from the policies they implement. We don't have far to look to see how self-serving (think rare coins or Senate seats) practices undermine the very fabric of our communities.

It is hard, though, to fathom how a sitting city commissioner will not benefit from the Marina District, though. It all depends on how far you want to cast the net and how desperate you are to derail progress. Hats off to the CRG for both distance and desperation in their latest moves.

The latest complaint: Julie Farrar shouldn't be able to vote because her mother owns rental property near where the Marina District development will be. And Bob Warner, whose day job is business agent for a construction union, will benefit because some of the jobs (wait a minute -- we thought the Marina District wasn't supposed to bring any decent jobs?) will undoubtedly benefit members of the union for which Warner is agent.

Come on. It's not like Sandusky is a community so big you can go an entire career without doing business with someone you know some other way. The key, in a community this size, is demonstrating you can work for the good of the whole despite any advantages or disadvantages that might accrue to you personally.

At its very core, the Marina District projects offers jobs, taxes and enhanced real estate value to the city of Sandusky. Last time we checked, this isn't that big of a city. Material benefit will come to every citizen if we add homes (or condos) to the city. That creates a larger income tax base, a likelihood that business may be more prosperous and the potential of other good things.

We agree that someone who might be selling their property to a developer should be neutral, but in reality, we are selling collective property so that puts everyone into the game. The promise of this project is a bit of progress and a bit of prosperity for all of us. We think they all deserve a vote.